Man, as you know, is a thermophilic creature. Especially the lack of heat we feel in the offseason. Rain and piercing wind outside the window, dampness and cold air in the room - what could be worse? Central heating does not work, and many clothes do not bring a feeling of comfort. What to do?
Household and HVAC stores present their customers with a huge selection. Especially popular today are infrared heaters for heating rooms. What it is? What are the pros and cons of this wonderful technique? How to make the right choice? Let's get it right.
IR rays in the heating system
Infrared heaters are a fairly new choice in solving the problem of space heating. They are deprived of almost all the shortcomings that traditional convectors have. The biggest difference is that infrared heaters do not heat the air, but the objects themselves. This means that they can be used in rooms of various functional orientations and with any ceiling height.
The energy emitted by the IR heater is similar in its property to the energy of the sun familiar to us. It raises the temperature of opaque surfaces. And further heating of the air comes from the fact that objects begin to give off the received heat. Thus, after some time, the floor, cabinets, plants and your own body begin to give off excess heat to the environment, and the air warms up additionally.
The radiation of the infrared heater is not afraid of "neither waves, nor wind." No drafts can reduce the quality of their work. It is like the sun warming your palms on a clear but windy spring day.
Depending on the brightness of the supplied light, infrared heaters for space heating are divided into:
- longwave (t 600˚C);
- light (t 600˚C).
The first are used in small rooms, for example, in greenhouses. The second is used when it is necessary to get a lot of heat.
Varieties of infrared heaters by way of mounting
These appliances are incredibly convenient for warming up large production rooms. Infrared heaters for the home are also gaining popularity. Given the goals and objectives of use, you can choose the necessary model. All of them differ in power, appearance, quality and type of device. Additionally, all infrared heaters can be divided into 3 large groups depending on the installation method:
- on the ceiling;
- on the floor;
- wall models.
Wall models
Such infrared heaters are most often made in the form of decorative elements of the interior. They can be disguised as a variety of objects, and they radiate heat differently. A wall mounted IR heater may look like a bright designer lamp or be a reproduction of a painting.
Modern designers like to use them in their projects. After all, wall-mounted infrared heaters allow you to realize two tasks at once: to diversify the interior and create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Ceiling IR devices
These are the most convenient infrared heaters, according to user reviews. They occupy a minimum of space. They can be placed in any room, even in the bathroom. Their case is perfectly protected from extraneous influences, so you can not be afraid that anything will close there. Also on sale are models that mimic the "armstrong" - suspended ceiling slabs. If the ceiling at your home or office is made in this style, then an outsider may not even understand what kind of heat source is directly above his head.
There are also models with multidirectional adjustable suspensions. Thus, you yourself can set the direction in which heat will be dissipated.
If you think well over the ceiling heating system, you can do with minimal energy loss. For example, a heater installed above the window will cut off any, even the most powerful draft. Thus, heat loss can be significantly reduced.
Floor models
Chinese outdoor infrared heaters are also quite popular. Their main advantage is mobility. You can carry it with you from room to room, and if necessary, completely remove it in a closet so as not to clutter up the room.
It is very convenient to use such a heater on a cool autumn day, when you want to stay longer in the fresh air and at the same time not freeze.
Film heating
Another type of popular infrared space heating is PLEN - film-beam heating elements. Such a system does not require complex calculations. Most often, IR film heaters are simply fixed over the entire surface of the ceiling. This is the most preferable option, since the walls can be occupied by furniture, and the floor is covered with various materials that do not allow heat to pass through.
Installing such a system is easy. The main issue is good thermal waterproofing. The inexpensive material Isolon - polyethylene foam with a foil layer perfectly copes with this task.
Installation of the substrate and the PLEN element itself is carried out using a conventional construction stapler or aluminum tape. Any decorative finishing coating that can transmit infrared rays is installed on top.
Advantages of IR devices
As can be seen from all of the above, infrared heaters have undoubted advantages:
- Profitability. Such heaters “eat” much less electricity than conventional convectors.
- Increased heat dissipation. IR heaters do not heat the air, but objects.
- The convenience of use. You do not have to wait for the start of the heating season. You can warm your home when you want it.
- Antiallergenic properties. During the operation of such heaters, air movement does not occur (unlike convectors). This means that no air turbulence occurs in the room, dust and various microorganisms do not fly. Drafts in the process are also absent.
- Easy to install. Installation of such a heater is not difficult, you do not have to start any complex alterations.
- Compactness. No matter what mount the device has, it does not take up much space. And floor models can be easily moved.
- Silence during operation. IR heaters operate almost silently and are designed to meet fire safety requirements.
- The speed of getting the result. Heating the room to the set parameters on average takes about 15 minutes. No other heating device is capable of this yet.
- Do not dry the air. IR heaters do not burn oxygen and do not emit odors during operation.
- They give the opportunity, if desired, to warm up not the entire room, but only the area where it is necessary.
The disadvantages of IR models
In fairness, I must say that the infrared heater has its negative sides. For example, if the power of the device is chosen incorrectly, you risk thermal burns. Unpleasant consequences can also be from cheap low-quality devices. Therefore, you should not purchase an obvious fake, it is better to pay a little more for a well-known brand.
Another drawback that many users do not like is the continuous glow. If you leave such a heater overnight, its glow may interfere. So, when choosing a device for installation in the bedroom, consider this point.
Gas portable infrared devices
Another type of portable portable devices is gas infrared heaters. They generally do not require electrical networks. Or gas networks. To ensure the operation of such a device, it is enough to stock up on a small cylinder.
A gas heater-burner of infrared radiation is an ideal option for a summer house, greenhouse or multi-seat tent. Moreover, you can take it for fishing, camping or on a picnic.
Everything is arranged quite simply. There is a metal housing in which there is a gas burner, an adjustment unit and valves. Such a system reliably protects the device from malfunctions and guarantees fire safety.
To turn a conventional burner into a heater, additional elements are used - infrared emitters. Their role can be performed by various grids, metal tubes, reflectors or a ceramic panel.
Advantages and disadvantages of gas infrared devices. Features
Gas infrared heaters have many advantages. Among them are the following:
- Convenient transportation.
- Reliability. In such heaters, there is practically nothing to fail.
- Compactness. Some models are so small that they can fit in a small bag. In online stores of tourist equipment, you can find devices whose sizes are not much larger than a regular medium-sized manual flashlight.
- Profitability. The use of such units will save much more money than the use of kerosene or other liquid fuel heaters. Electric heaters are generally considered to be the most expensive heating device.
- Mobility. In the process, the presence of central highways is not required. So you can quickly warm yourself even in the forest or on the river bank.
- Efficiency. The efficiency of such devices can reach 80–82%. This is much higher than that of other types of devices.
Of course, a gas infrared heater, like any other device, cannot but have drawbacks. Here they are:
- The device assumes the presence of open flame, and this is an additional risk.
- The principle of operation of such a heater is based on combustion. This entails the burning of oxygen, the release of carbon dioxide and combustion products. Therefore, before using such a device in a small enclosed area, make sure that there is good ventilation.
Choosing a heater for the house
When choosing a heating device, you should pay attention to the infrared wavelength range of the heaters. They are of three types:
- Long (over 5.6 microns). Such devices can be used in rooms where the ceiling height does not exceed 3 meters. Different models can produce temperatures from one hundred to six hundred degrees Celsius. However, 120–150 ° C is quite enough for an apartment.
- Medium (2.5-5.6 microns). The range of operation of these devices is from 600 to 1,000 degrees. To ensure safe operation, they must be placed where the ceiling height is from 3 to 6 m. Most often, such ceilings have a solid private house or office building.
- Short (0.74–2.5 microns). The temperature generated by such devices exceeds 1,000 ° C. Most often they are installed for heating workshops, hangars or other industrial premises with a height of over 6 meters. Such a heater is suitable for outdoor use.
To heat the room was the most effective, you need to correctly calculate the power of the device. Make it easy. The ratio is taken as a basis - 100 W per each square meter of the room. If you plan to use the heater only as a source of additional heat, you can do with minimal power. The most appropriate solution would be to choose a model equipped with a thermostat. This will maintain a comfortable temperature without spending extra energy.
| power, kWt | The area of heating (winter), m2 | The area of heating (spring), m2 |
| 0.4 | 4 | eight |
| 0.6 | 6 | 12 |
| 0.8 | eight | sixteen |
| 1,0 | ten | twenty |
| 1.3 | thirteen | 26 |
If the ceiling height in the room approaches 3 meters, for calculation it is worth taking power equal to 130 watts per square meter. And if the room has many windows or panoramic glazing, this figure should be increased to 150 watts.
When choosing a home IR heater, you should pay attention to the material from which the heating element is made. It can be glass, plain or anodized aluminum or a metal plate. The material from which the shell is made for the radiating element is also important. In order of priority, they can be arranged as follows:
- microthermal (tubular);
- carbon;
- from ceramics;
- halogen.
If you approach the choice of an infrared heater with all responsibility, it will bring comfortable, safe and cost-effective heat to your home.